There are several different types of stroke, including:
- Ischemic stroke: This is the most common type of stroke and occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or blood vessel in the brain. Approximately 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain. Approximately 15% of all strokes are hemorrhagic strokes.
- TIA: A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is sometimes called a “mini-stroke.” It occurs when a blood clot temporarily blocks an artery or blood vessel in the brain. TIAs typically last less than 5 minutes and do not cause permanent brain damage. However, they are often a warning sign of an impending stroke and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Strokes are a medical emergency. The sooner treatment is administered, the more likely patients are to make a full recovery. For this reason, it is critical that healthcare providers recognize the signs of a stroke and take appropriate action.
What Are the Symptoms of a Stroke?
When a stroke occurs, every second counts. The sooner patients receive treatment, the better their chances of making a full recovery and avoiding life-threatening complications.
That’s why it is so important that healthcare providers recognize the signs of a stroke and respond accordingly. Unfortunately, many strokes are misdiagnosed, leading to preventable harm.
The most common signs and symptoms of stroke include:
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion or difficulty understanding speech
- Trouble speaking or slurred speech
- Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
- Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Severe headache with no known cause
Not all people who suffer strokes will experience all of these symptoms. In fact, some people may not experience any symptoms at all. However, when symptoms do occur, they typically appear suddenly and without warning.
How Is a Stroke Diagnosed?
When a patient presents with symptoms of a stroke, healthcare providers should promptly perform a physical examination and order diagnostic tests to determine whether a stroke has occurred. Often, a stroke can be diagnosed based on a patient’s physical examination and medical history alone. However, additional tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type and severity of the stroke.
Common diagnostic tests used to diagnose a stroke include:
- CT scan: A computed tomography (CT) scan is a type of X-ray that uses computer technology to create detailed images of the brain. CT scans are often used to diagnose a stroke and determine the type and severity of the stroke.
- MRI: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a type of imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain. MRIs can show even the smallest changes in brain tissue and are often used to confirm a stroke diagnosis, determine the type of stroke, and assess the amount of brain damage that has occurred.
- Angiogram: An angiogram is a special type of X-ray that uses a dye and a camera to take pictures of the blood flow in the brain. Angiograms are often used to determine the location of a blood clot or bleeding in the brain and identify any blockages or abnormalities in the blood vessels.
- Carotid ultrasound: A carotid ultrasound is a type of imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of the carotid arteries in the neck. Carotid ultrasounds can show whether there is any plaque buildup or blood clots in the arteries.
- Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram is a type of imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of the heart. Echocardiograms can show whether a blood clot in the heart may have traveled to the brain and caused a stroke.
When a stroke is diagnosed, healthcare providers should take immediate action to administer appropriate treatment. This generally involves giving the patient clot-busting drugs or performing a surgical procedure to remove the clot and restore blood flow to the brain.
The Dangers of a Misdiagnosed Stroke
Strokes are a medical emergency. When a stroke occurs, brain cells begin to die within minutes. The longer treatment is delayed, the more brain damage is likely to occur.
That’s why it is so important for healthcare providers to recognize the signs of a stroke and take immediate action. Unfortunately, many strokes are misdiagnosed, leading to preventable harm and even death.
Some of the dangers of a misdiagnosed stroke include:
- Brain damage: When a stroke occurs, brain cells begin to die within minutes. The longer treatment is delayed, the more brain damage is likely to occur. In some cases, a misdiagnosed stroke can result in severe and permanent brain damage.
- Paralysis: When a stroke occurs, one of the most common complications is paralysis. In particular, strokes can cause paralysis on one side of the body. In some cases, patients may lose the ability to move one or both of their legs or arms. In other cases, they may lose the ability to speak or swallow.
- Communication problems: Strokes can cause a condition called aphasia, which affects a person’s ability to communicate. Depending on the severity of the aphasia, a person may have difficulty speaking, understanding speech, reading, or writing.
- Memory loss: Strokes can cause memory loss and other cognitive problems. Depending on the severity of the memory loss, a person may have difficulty remembering new information, recalling past events, or making new memories.
- Difficulty swallowing: Strokes can cause a condition called dysphagia, which affects a person’s ability to swallow. In some cases, dysphagia may cause a person to choke on food or drink. In other cases, it may cause food or drink to enter the lungs, leading to a serious infection called aspiration pneumonia.
- Changes in behavior or mood: Strokes can cause changes in a person’s behavior or mood. For example, a person who was previously calm and easygoing may become angry, anxious, or depressed.
- Death: Strokes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. When a stroke is misdiagnosed, the patient may not receive the treatment they need in time to prevent brain damage and other complications. In some cases, a misdiagnosed stroke can result in death.
When a stroke is misdiagnosed, the patient may not receive immediate medical intervention. In some cases, the patient may not receive any treatment at all. It is important to note that prompt medical intervention can help minimize the damage caused by a stroke. In some cases, it may even be possible to completely reverse the effects of a stroke if treatment is administered within a few hours.
Common Causes of Misdiagnosed Strokes
The failure to diagnose a stroke can occur for a variety of reasons. In some cases, a healthcare provider may simply fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. In other cases, a healthcare provider may not order the appropriate diagnostic tests or may misinterpret the results of the tests.
Some of the most common causes of misdiagnosed strokes include:
- Failure to recognize the symptoms of a stroke
- Delayed diagnosis
- Failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests
- Misinterpretation of diagnostic test results
- Failure to consult with a specialist
- Communication errors
- Failure to follow up with diagnostic tests
- Failure to take a patient’s medical history
When a healthcare provider fails to diagnose a stroke, the patient may not receive the treatment they need in time to prevent brain damage and other complications.
If you or someone you love suffered harm due to a misdiagnosed stroke, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our Albuquerque stroke misdiagnosis lawyers can review your medical records, consult with medical experts, and help you determine the best way to proceed with your case.
How Can a Stroke Misdiagnosis Lawyer Help?
If you or someone you love suffered harm due to a misdiagnosed stroke, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
At James Wood Law, P.C., we are committed to helping victims of medical malpractice fight for the justice and fair recovery they are owed. Our stroke misdiagnosis attorneys in Albuquerque have over 40 years of combined legal experience and a proven track record of success in even the most complex cases.
When you choose our firm, you can trust that we will work diligently to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We will review your medical records, consult with medical experts, and help you pursue the full, fair financial compensation you are owed.
Call our firm at (505) 906-6774 or online to learn more about how we can help you during a free initial consultation.
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